Do I have a chance of getting into a decent college?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

My high school goes from 7th grade to 12th grade. Entering 7th grade, I was originally placed only in accelerated english and social studies, but after 7th grade my counselor believed I could handle accelerated science and math too. So I was placed on track for future AP courses in all core classes (english, social studies, math, science). However, now in my junior year, I’m struggling in math and science. I dropped AP Physics (withdraw passing) because I was on the verge of failing and I had conflicts with the teacher. My accelerated Pre-Calculus average is in the mid/high 70s. The rest of my classes are good (AP US History 88, AP English Language 90, Italian 100, SAT Prep 93, Human Anatomy 94 (took in place of physics), orchestra 97)

I realized as the years went on that I wasn’t quite cut out for the rigorous curriculum accelerated science and math required, especially since my grandma lives with us (we are BFF’s) and she has Alzheimer’s and declining health, I spend an immense amount of my time caring for her (I need to because she doesn’t speak English, and my mom and I are the only ones who can speak Chinese and communicate with her.) I thought I could stick it out and balance the work with caring for my grandma, but it is just so hard, and I don’t enjoy it.

For my senior year, I am taking a semi-less rigorous schedule (AP Gov, AP Literature, Forensics (1/2 year), Astrology (1/2 year), Intro to College Math, Italian 5, Orchestra, Child Development) and I know I can perform very well in those classes, but I am worried that colleges will look down upon me and think I “quit.”

My question is, if I explain the circumstances with my grandma in an essay or letter when I apply to colleges, would they be more lenient with my decline of grades junior year and the fact that I took a bit easier course load senior year? I am so afraid that they will dismiss me because they think I’m becoming lazy or something.

SAT 1630 (CR 520, Math 570, Writing 540, taking it again in May and probably October senior year)
Overall cumulative average 92.38 (Freshman year-1st semester junior year)

Colleges I’m looking at in New York: SUNY Old Westbury, Berkeley, Baruch, Touro, FIT, Parsons (maybe), Adelphi, Hofstra, SUNY Farmingdale , LIU Brooklyn.

Thanks in advance.

2

I am also in National Honor Society, Athletic Honor Society, Language Honor Society, volleyball, softball, class council, and key club.

3

Bump

4

Most of those are probably within reach, with obvious exception of Berkeley. Your chances there are extremely slim, I’m afraid.

5

UCB is also a Reach with an SAT of 1630. You need around a 2100 to be competitive. Also, can you afford OOS costs for UCB at $55K/year with little or no financial aid?? You need to rethink your list and get some good safeties and matches.

6

Whoops, I meant Berkeley College of NYC. Definitely not the one in California! The NYC one has a 95% applicants admitted so I’m hoping I have a chance there.

7

Did you mean Astronomy up above rather than Astrology?

8

What’s your parents’ budget?
Are you applying through HEOP?
It seems you speak Chinese and Italian - take the Subject tests in both languages (Italian in June, Chinese in November, + another test each time - I would suggest US History in June, and English Literature in November.)
Spending a lot of time caring for a sick family member counts as one serious EC. Most CommonApp Colleges will “count” that, there’s even a line in the drop-down menu.

Your list doesn’t work very well for your needs.
It sounds like you’re first-gen (first in your family to go to college) and thus don’t know much about the application process, but the colleges on your list are all colleges that “gap” students terribly, ie., they may admit you but leave you holding the bag with regards to paying for college.
If you are, indeed, middle class to lower middle class, your odds would be excellent through HEOP/EOP. Do you qualify?
Are you enrolled in reduced/free lunch progam, or upward bound/trio/Avid, or live in public housing? If you can answer “yes” to any one of these three, you qualify for fee waivers - have you asked for all your fee waivers (for SAT, SAT subjects, ACT, and next year, for college application fees)?
Why not apply to CCNY? What about Fordham? SUNY Stony Brook? SUNY Purchase or New Paltz?
Will you need to commute - hence restricting your choices by location?
Is there any possibility you could consider a residential college away from the city or are you needed at home to care for your grandmother and thus can’t live on campus?
Do you have siblings?

9

Yes I did mean astronomy! Wow, I thought I proof-read this. Haha

10

My parents don’t have a set-budget, but would prefer to pay less than $25k a year for my tuition.
I’m not applying through HEOP or EOP, nor am I eligible for reduced/free lunch or anything like that. We are pretty well off in an upper-middle class suburban neighborhood.
My parents both went to Queens college but I’m just beginning to narrow down the college search so we haven’t discussed too much about the application process yet.
I will need to commute, either by car or LIRR.
No siblings.

11

If you’re rather well off, why will you need to commute?
The residential experience is really much better and makes it more likely to get good grades, get involved on campus, and frankly helps you grow in ways staying at home won’t.
Include SUNY Purchase and New Paltz (NP if you don’t need to commute), plus CUNY CSI.

12

I really want & need to be home to spend time with and take care of my grandma. I will look into going away, but my mind has always been set on staying home.